Hey, everyone. ”Moriarty” here.

I’ve heard this more and more in recent weeks. Even the people who have said it’s not a complete film say that when it works, it works well.

I would like to see Louis C.K. and Chris Rock continue to work together. I think they make a good team, and I think they’re actually growing and pushing each other as artists the more times they collaborate, always something exciting to see. And now, I’m actually excited to get a look at this one when it’s finally released.

New spy Zorak5 seems quite fond of it. Check it out:

I got back tonight from a screening of the new Fox Searchlight movie “I Think I Love My Wife”. The local radio station was there hosting the event and handing out swag. Only one trailer played (the one we’ve already seen for The Simpsons Movie), and then the movie started.

Chris Rock directed, co-wrote, and starred in the movie, and it’s definitely his step towards a more mature direction. It’s a very low-key film, more of a character piece than plot driven. Rock plays Richard, a strait-laced New York businessman. He’s got it all: The job, the money, the house in the suburbs, the wife, the kids. And he’s bored out of his fucking mind. He and his wife (Gina Torres) have stopped having sex, and therapy isn’t helping.

Along comes Nikki (played by the beautiful Kerry Washington), a woman who used to date Richard’s best friend. He hasn’t seen her in years and she’s looking good. She’s like a succubus who keeps pushing her way into Richard’s life, luring him further and further away from his wife. The main conflict of the movie is whether or not Richard will finally succumb to her charms and cheat on his wife. Washington does a good job making you both hate and at times sympathize with the character, all the while stuffed in skimpy dresses and high heels.

Steve Buscemi has a supporting role as Richard’s colleague who constantly cheats on his wife with younger women. It was nice to see him, but he doesn’t get much to do.

It’s a talky movie, with narration provided by Rock’s character, but it works. The laughs are less in-your-face, usually coming from dialogue rather than resorting to cheap tricks. There are a few “Frat Pack” type gags, one involving a Viagra mishap, and one at the end which I won’t spoil. They can feel a bit out-of-place compared to the rest of the movie. But the bottom line is: This movie is funny. You might not get big belly laughs, but almost all of the jokes work. I was consistently laughing out loud throughout the entire movie, and so was the rest of the audience.

The audience itself was very varied. The theater was mostly fully, ranging from teenagers to, believe or not, senior citizens. Both men and women, black and white, were there. There was some applause at the climax of the movie and again at the end.

This movie is one of the least dirty R-rated films I can think of. The characters say “fuck,” and there’s a tiny bit of drug and sexual content, but that’s it. Some might call it Chris Lite Rock. It’s a simple movie about choices, not scathing social commentary. Rock’s character is the only Black at his company who isn’t a janitor, and there’s a scene where his wife admonishes him about using the N word in front of their kids, but that’s about as far as it goes in social commentary.

“I Think I Love My Wife” is a big step up from Rock’s previous directing effort, “Head of State”. He has improved a lot direction wise. You’d hardly think they were made by the same person. The performances were all believable. Rock pulls off playing the mellow family man, a big change from the manic characters he’s known for playing and his stand-up persona.

The worst thing I can say about the movie is that it does feel long. It wasn’t boring, but there are some pacing issues. The best thing I can say is that it shows Rock is capable of some more great things ahead. He may surprise you with this one.

I’m afraid this movie will slip past the radar though. With luck, it will become a sleeper hit among adults. If you’re looking for a bit more intelligent comedy fare than what’s out now, this is your best bet.

If you use this, call me Zorak5.